Around 20 Malaysian companies have agreed to invest in different business sectors in Bangladesh. Bangladesh-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) revealed the information at a press conference. BMCCI organised the press conference on ‘Bangladesh trade and investment summit 2016’ to unveil the outcome of the summit, held at a hotel in the capital, yesterday. BMCCI in collaboration with High Commission of Bangladesh in Malaysia organised ‘Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit 2016’ held on Monday December 5 at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.With the theme “sustainable business-the road to progress”, the trade was explored key trade and investment opportunities that exist for Bangladesh in particular from Malaysian counterpart. The summit was also focused on trade and investment practices, opportunities and challenge of major stakeholders-both private and public. President of BMCCI Alamgir Jalil said “It was indeed a significant and fruitful summit. We have already received 5 to 6 appreciation letters from big houses in Malaysia.” There were several business to business (B2B) discussion and many of them are under execution. It was very exciting that two memorandum of understanding (MoU) were signed for joint venture investment in real estate and solar energy. Bangladesh export to Malaysia is expected to increase 10-15 per cent. During the press briefing, group CEO of Well Group Syed Nurul Islam, said the pivotal objective of this summit was to branding Bangladesh in front of the Malaysian investors. Malaysian investors were very keen and interested to invest in Bangladesh, he also added. Two companies of Well Group signed joint venture investment deal in real estate and solar energy which roughly worth of US$ 100 million, Syed Nurul Islam informed. At the summit, Commerce Minister of Bangladesh Tofail Ahmed has discussed the bi-lateral issues including duty-free access of Bangladeshi goods and services and immediate solution of manpower issues with the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Former president of BMCCI Syed Moazzam Hossain were amazed by the presence of the stakeholders at the summit. He said this is the best summit that “I attended in my life where 200 plus business people have participated and showed their keen interest to invest in Bangladesh.” On behalf of BMCCI Syed Moazzam Hossain mentioned three points of doing business in Bangladesh. Theses are–trade challenge and opportunities, preferred investment destination and energy and infrastructure. Malaysian investors are interested to invest are–financial sector, food and commodities, power, textile, energy drink and chemical industries, Moazzam Hossain mentioned at the press briefing. High Commission of Malaysian to Bangladesh Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib has praised the achievement of Bangladesh in the Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector. She said 6.5 per cent GDP growth is remarkable comparable to global standards. The images of Bangladesh have to be promoted outside for implementing more bilateral trade agreements. In 2017, BMCCI is going to organise showcase Malaysia 2017 on September 21-23, 2017. The event was supported by Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), Public Private Partnership Authority Bangladesh, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and High Commission of Malaysia in Bangladesh
